O Sarcasm Font, Where Art Thou?

15Apr

Watch your words. Once you give them life, they can only be forgiven, never forgotten.

I think it’s so funny how people often forget the power words have. A simple word can damage someone’s self-esteem. It can harm someone more than any punch you can throw. The right word, can make or break us.

“The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.”Dorothy Nevill

Words are sticks and stones.

But not only words have power, they can also be delivered in a variety of ways, and the inflection used can be the difference between good and evil. You can say the same sentence in different ways and obtain different results every time. You can be funny, sarcastic, evil, honest. It’s all in the way you deliver what you’re thinking.

Now, how about the written word? As of now, at least to extent of my knowledge, there’s no such thing as a font for sarcasm. I’m pretty sure someone will create one sooner or later. And that someone will get rich. But for now, there’s no such thing. Therefore, the written word demands a certain special attention the spoken word doesn’t. And that’s because it comes with no facial expression or the inflection on your voice to aid the recipient in identifying its true meaning.

People think, “Of course they know what I mean. They know me. Of course that’s dripping with sarcasm.” But is it that obvious? I’ve seen so many arguments start with a misinterpreted text or email, I can’t even count. People think they are so clever, but they are just being hurtful. Then they use the excuse that they are only responsible for what they say, not for what others understand. I can see that, to a certain extent, but I think the more correct thought process would be to say I’m responsible for what I say and the way in which I say it. And I’m responsible for giving it the meaning it should carry.

“We may have the right to free speech, but speech is not entirely free. There are always consequences for what we say, whether or not we realize our impact.”Amy Jane

Recently I received an email that hurt me. It contained hurtful words and it was quite disturbing, since it came from someone really close to me. So I replied to it. And this person told me, “Oh, that was not my intention.” Well, to this person, the only thing I have to say is, it doesn’t matter what you intended, but the end result of what you said. It’s easy to say things and then just say, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to.” No, you didn’t mean to. But that was what you accomplished. And apologizing for your words won’t make them go away.

To all those people, I’m sorry that I heard what you said, not what you meant. Next time be more clear about what your real intentions are.

P.S.: I surely believe the world needs a sarcasm font. As soon as possible.